MSU70
Clifton Forge, Va
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Joined: 10/07/2008
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Hello,
Well, it looks like I'm going to take the plunge and purchase a new Jayflight 26BH. This will be my first camper.
We have a 2003 Ford Expedition 5.4l V8 with a factory class IV hitch installed to tow with. I have been looking into the WD hitches and I came across this one Pro Series SC Weight Distribution . Anybody have any comments (good, or bad) on this hitch? If its not a right choice, I would like to here about some others.
Thanks.
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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My opinion: You'd be better off spending a little extra money and getting the Duel Cam system. The SC is an economy hitch that compares well to the friction bar but the duel cam gets away from friction anti sway systems all together for better control. Good luck / Skip
2004 F-150 HD 3,050 lb. payload
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
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LIKE2BUILD
Mt. Zion, IL
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Joined: 09/30/2004
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I have no experience with the Sway pro SC. But, it seems to basically perform the like the Equal-Izer hitch. The bars set in the cradles and when the tongue is lowered the downforce on the bars creates friction to dampen sway. The main difference with the Reese and the Equal-Izer is the Reese system uses a pad of friction material (brake pad) to interface with the metal spring bars.
The Pro Series would probably work very well for the length of trailer you're expecting to buy.
KJ
2002 Jayco Qwest 324G
2004 Chevy 2500HD CrewCab |6.0L|2X4|4.10:1
Curt MagnumV receiver
Eaz-Lift Hitch with Reese Dual Cam
1981 Seastar 18' Runabout
1996 Polaris SLT780 Waverunner
3 Wonderful Sons (9, 3, & 1 year)
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MSU70
Clifton Forge, Va
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Thanks for the replies. I had hoped to find someone who actually owned one, but no luck. I am still undecided on what to get. I'm going to the RV dealer to see what they sell. As for the Reese system, which one is better - Round or Trunnion?
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BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
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MSU70 wrote:As for the Reese system, which one is better - Round or Trunnion?
Neither one is "better". They come in different bar strengths. The round bars are limited to 1000lb maximum tongue weight while the trunnion style go up to 1700lbs. The breakdown of weight classes in each style of bar is different also.
Reese Round bars come in the following tongue weights:
550lb
750lb
1000lb
Note: Another manufacturer makes round bars in a 1400lb weight.
Trunnion bars come in:
600lb
800lb
1200lb
1700lb
Both styles do exactly the same job. Neither one is easier or works better than the other. If you have the Dual Cam HP sway control system, and your trailer has the coupler mounted on the top of the A frame, then often the round style bars will give you more clearance for the Dual Cam arms than the Trunnion style will. The Trunnion style will give you more ground clearance than the round bar style though. Other than that, it is just a matter of personal preference and tongue weights as to what style you choose.
Hope this helps.
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch
2002 Ford F250 Super Duty, 7.3L PSD
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MSU70
Clifton Forge, Va
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Good info Barney.
My problem with any WD hitch is that I'm not sure which tongue weight to go with. The only info that I have on the TW is by the brochure which is 580 dry. As I stated before I haven't bought the TT yet. I wanted the hitch BEFORE I pick it up. I am leaning toward this one Strait-Line Weight Distribution Hitch Kit (1,200 lb) with Trunnion Bars. I'm not sure if this is TOO big or not. I was told that you need to get the hitch close to the tongue weight, but, I'm still not sure what that is.
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BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
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I think that hitch would be a bit much for the trailer you are considering. This one would be a much better match.
If you like the trunnion style better then this one would be much closer to your tongue weight. I figure that your 580 dry tongue weight will probably be very close 800lbs by the time you are ready to go camping.
If I were getting it for myself, I would purchase the 1000lb one.
By the way, make sure the shank is included in the deal. The link you gave does not include the shank. The ones I gave do include it. The only thing you would need to add is the ball in the proper size for your trailer coupler.
Barney
* This post was
edited 10/16/08 09:08am by BarneyS *
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MSU70
Clifton Forge, Va
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How about this one Reese Round Bar Strait-Line Hitch with Shank 1,000 lbs. TW / 10,000 lbs. GTW ? I would think that 750 to 800 would be too small. Just adding the battery and filling the 2 30lb tanks would add quite a bit of TW.
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BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
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Yep, that is the one I would get! In the link I gave you above I mistakenly put in the 750lb one instead of the 1000lb one.
Barney
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salrosa
NJ
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Joined: 10/15/2007
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I have the exact same truck as you 2003 Exp. with 5.4 8v Eddie Bauer edition. We also have a 2004 Jayflight 27bh and use the Reese Pro series SC. That hitch works great for my setup and you can't beat the price. $330 at eTrailer with free shipping. I have had no issues at all. the Reese dual cam is very pricey and over kill in my opinion for a 26 or 27ft trailer. I don't spare packing anything in the camper either. good luck
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